When you think of family summer vacations, visions of the beach or a theme park often come to mind. But I decided to do something different this year, and my family and I cruised Alaska. It was an amazing experience, and a great way to vacation with my two boys, ages 16 and 12. If you are thinking about cruising Alaska with your children, here are five family-friendly things you can do that are perfect for tweens and teens!

1. Take a ride on the White Pass Scenic Railway – The White Pass Scenic Railway may be the most popular excursion in Skagway, and with good reason. Once you climb aboard the train, you will be taken through stunning scenery while being told the history of this railroad.

2. Whale Watching in Juneau or Icy Strait Point – From either of these stops, you can experience the magic of seeing humpback whales (and sometimes orcas) in their natural habitat.

3. Kayak near the Mendenhall Glacier – For older and more active kids, take the opportunity to kayak and get a closer view of the Mendenhall Glacier. You may even have some company in the water in the form of sea lions!

4. Visit the Cannery Museum at Icy Strait Point – If Icy Strait Point is a stop on your cruise, take some time to visit the cannery museum that showcases the history of the fishing and canning industry in the area.

5. Take advantage of sea days and ship activities for family time – On sea days, spend some time with your family on the ship. We played bingo, spent time in the game room challenging each other to chess, and enjoying other onboard activities.

A cruise of Alaska is a wonderful experience to share with your children and an opportunity to make life-long memories!

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